The 2012 <a href="http://www.sdeurope.org">Solar Decathlon Europe</a> has encouraged the competition's 20 participating teams to incorporate high-tech solutions into their <a href="http://inhabitat.com/solar-power/">solar-powered</a> houses, but that hasn't stopped the team from Brazil from leaning heavily on their home country's traditions as well. Their Ekó House is a solar-powered modular home that takes inspiration from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guaran%C3%AD_people">Tupi-Guarani people</a>, who look to the sun as the most important regulator of life. Using smart automated systems that maximize energy efficiency, comfort and security, the only team from the southern hemisphere to participate in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/inhabitat-is-looking-for-photographers-for-the-2012-european-solar-decathlon-in-madrid/">2012 European Solar Decathlon</a> has also revived their people's custom of communing in large shared spaces that open to the beautiful outdoors.

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Eko House by Team Brazil

The Eko House is a solar-powered modular structure

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Eko House by Team Brazil

It has large spacious rooms and modular verandas

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Eko House by Team Brazil

Rooftop solar panels provide energy

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Eko House by Team Brazil

The verandas help to mitigate solar gain and provide a comfortable interior environment

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Eko House by Team Brazil

The interior is well-lit

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Eko House by Team Brazil

The interior furnishings are designed to be very "Brazilian"

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Eko House by Team Brazil

A mechanical closet contains all of the hydraulic, HVAC and mechanical systems

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Eko House by Team Brazil

The home is constructed with pre-stressed wood and steel cables

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Eko House by Team Brazil

A waterless compost toilet helps to reduce the home's water consumption

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Eko House by Team Brazil

The 2012 Solar Decathlon Europe has encouraged the competition's 20 participating teams to incorporate high-tech solutions into their solar-powered houses, but that hasn't stopped the team from Brazil from leaning heavily on their home country's traditions as well. Their Ekó House is a solar-powered modular home that takes inspiration from the Tupi-Guarani people, who look to the sun as the most important regulator of life. Using smart automated systems that maximize energy efficiency, comfort and security, the only team from the southern hemisphere to participate in 2012 European Solar Decathlon has also revived their people's custom of communing in large shared spaces that open to the beautiful outdoors.